Controversial midfielder is a local lad and lifelong Toffees fan but saw a dream move scuppered in the summer when Martinez replaced Moyes as manager

Ranger emotions: Everton fan Barton is set to face his favourite team at Goodison (Photo: Julian Finney)

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Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton will be out to show hometown club Everton what they’re missing this weekend.

Lifelong Toffees supporter Barton was touted for a move to the Goodison club in the summer - and was willing to take a 50 per cent wage cut to make it possible.

However, his dream was dashed by new manager Roberton Martinez, who rejected the chance to bring the 31-year-old to Merseyside.

The former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder comes face-to-face with his boyhood side in an FA Cup third round clash - and the visitors’ boss Harry Redknapp is delighted Barton stuck around for QPR’s promotion push.

He said: “Joey’s been great. He has come back and I’ve been impressed with him as a player and as a lad. I can only take him as I find him and he’s not caused me a minute’s problem.

“It’s been good to have him around the place and I couldn’t have been more pleased with him. His attitude’s been fantastic and he’s a big player for this team.”

Redknapp, meanwhile, has heaped praise on Everton counterpart Martinez ahead of the clash - and has tipped the Toffees as outsiders for a Champions League spot.

He added: “Everton are a good side. Roberto is a fantastic manager and I’m a big fan of his. He’s exceeded a lot of expectations but not mine. I think he was a certainty to do well.

“I wouldn’t like to pick it because there’s seven teams fighting for a top-four spot. I’m not sure Everton will do it but they are going well.”